AI Damage2006 Pontiac Montana: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Pontiac Montana filed 37 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and electronic stability control. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 37
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 2 Electronic stability control 14% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (22% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 5 complaints (14% of all).
- Engine: 5 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (14% of all).
- Structure: 5 complaints (14% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.9 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 37 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Unit 1 had it's left rear tire blow out, lost control, went off the left side of the roadway and struck the median barrier. (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0184-90) updated 04/22/11
I was seriously injured because the airbags failed to deploy. I was traveling at least 25 mph at the time of the accident the car was totaled in the accident due to severe front end damage.
When it's cold and you start the vehicle I get a message reduced engine power. You have to immediately shut it off. Som etimes when you are driving down the road and it is warmed up it will do this and you have to find a safe place to pull over because if you try to give it gas it won't go anyways.
The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics and the contact was informed that the failure was due to excessive corrosion of the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. The vin was not available.
When starting the vehicle, or after awhile when you are driving the vehicle it will come up and read reduced engine power then you have to stop because it will not let you accelerate the gas pedal.
Fuel gauge does not read properly all the time and now most recently the passenger seat belt alarm does not register that the seat belt is connected. The vehicle experiences these issues moving and stationary.
Tires are showing signs of extreme sidewall splits that could have led to tire blowout at highway speeds. Tires will be taken back to store where bought although not optimistic they will replace them. Dunlop signature series ii all season
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 pontiac montana. The contact stated that the dashboard was fractured. The contact stated that the dashboardd developed cracks in several areas. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,176 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Montana has 88 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 37, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Pontiac Montana?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, electronic stability control, engine. Total complaints: 37. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (8%), tires: bulges, blowouts (8%), rust, corrosion (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Pontiac Montana?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Pontiac Montana from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2006 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.